PAST REUNIONS

DFW Airport--October 4-6, 2002

For only the 2nd time since Vietnam, former pilots
of the 33rd Transportation Company, 118th Aviation Company (AML)
and 118th Assault Helicopter Company gathered to laugh, show slides,
gaze at pictures and scrap books plus, remember the good and bad
times from 30+ years ago! Lots of thinning hair, extra pounds
and wrinkles were present were once thick hair, firm bodies and
taut skin existed. Interestingly, a once familiar smile, gesture
or laugh still remained and was recognizable despite the long
years that had passed.

Jim Thorne, former Bandit 36 (67-68), and several
of the men who served during his time, put together a very enjoyable
and meaningful gathering for approximately 85 former Thunderbird
pilots. Many who came had never attended a reunion before! And
most, no doubt, had thoughts about what they would say, feel or
do. Yet, everyone seemed to thoroughly enjoy the event and most
promised to "do it again, soon"!

Because of the number of people who attended, group
photos by year groups were taken and appear below. An attempt
was made to try and get a photo of everyone at the reunion. However,
some just slipped by and were missed. Some of those who did not
get in the group photos, can be seen further down the page.

COMMANDERS

Attending the reunion at DFW over the week-end of
Oct 4-6, 2002 were six(6) of the 18 commanders of the 33rd/118th.
Each CO took a few minutes during the final dinner to speak about
things they remembered about their command of the 33rd/118th.
Several former 3's or Operations Officers spoke for their commanders
who were not present.

As far as is known, all previous commanders are
still alive with the exception of the first CO, Joe Henderson,
who died of a heart condition in 1996.

Vincent McNeese

CO & XO

64

Harvey Stewart

CO

64-65

Ted Jambon

Opns Off

65-66

George Owens

CO & XO

66

Joe Boggs

CO

66-67

Bill Bradner

CO & XO

67

Bob Shain

XO & Opns Off

67-68

John Britton

CO

69

(Photos courtesy Jack Swickard)

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

More Thunderbirds at DFW

Tom Kilpela and Raul "Pete" Smith.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

John Bearrie and Jim Fuller.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

L to R:

George Estess, T.H.Bilbrey, Jack Mullican,

Ken Nelson, Tom Ruggieri.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Looking at slides are L to R: Ted Jambon,

Dale Minner, MD and Bob Michel.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Unidentified lady and Warren George

looking at memorabilia.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Joe Michalkiewicz, Ken Dolan and Jim Thorne.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

L to R:

Lonnie Schmidt, Tom Story, Marv Levine

and Tom Payne.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Frank Radspinner and wife.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Tollie Adkins and wife.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Jack Mullican, Dan Nelson and George Estess.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Don Morris(68th Top Tiger/Mustang-66)

and Charlie Prather.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Robert Shain and Maurice Vanden Eykle.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Harvey Steward and Jim Thorne.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

L to R:

Greg Thornton, Tom Story, Leroy Spivey and

Tom Watson.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Taking their refreshments outside during

a fire alarm at the hotel.

L to R: Diane Meade, Barbara Letts,

Loel Letts, Randy Meade

and Earlene Thorne.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

Les Valouche and Pat McLarney telling war
stories.

(Photo courtesy Jack Swickard)

L to R: Clyde Gudermuth, Jack Waters and

Ted Jambon reliving moments from the past.

(Photo courtesy Clyde Gudermuth)

Banquet view of 118th reunion at DFW.

(Photo courtesy Bob Brightwell)

If you have some photos of guys who did not get
in any of the photos, please contact the Webmaster
and they can be added.